Page 175 of 570
174 Controls in detail
Control system
AIRMATIC*/Compass menu
The
AIRMATIC/Compass menu displays the
AIRMATIC* messages and the direction
into which you are currently driving.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until the
AIRMATIC/Compass menu
appears in the multifunction display.
For information on AIRMATIC*, see
“AIRMATIC*” (
page 285).
For information on the compass, see
“Vehicle submenu” (
page 186) and
“Compass” (
page 342).
Distronic* menu
Use the
DISTRONIC menu (page 276) to
display the current settings for your
Distronic system. The information shown
in the multifunction display depends on
whether the Distronic system is activated
or deactivated.
Please refer to the “Driving systems”
section of this manual (
page 271) for
instructions on how to activate Distronic.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
to select the Distronic menu in the
multifunction display.
Vehicle status message memory menu
Use the vehicle status message memory
menu to scan malfunction and warning
messages that may be stored in the
system. Such messages appear in the
multifunction display and are based on
conditions or system status the vehicle’s
system has recorded.
The vehicle status message memory menu
only appears, if messages have been
stored.
Page 218 of 570
217 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep battery drain to
a minimum, switch off the defroster as
soon as the rear window is clear. The de-
froster is automatically deactivated after
approximately 6 to 17 minutes of
operation depending on the outside tem-
perature.
Switch on the ignition (page 39).Activating
Press button1 on the climate con-
trol panel (
page 220) or the automat-
ic climate control* panel (
page 234).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button1 once more.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
!With the sunshade raised and the respective
door window open, the sunshade could disen-
gage and snap back when driving at high vehicle
speeds, e.g. on highways, and damage the
retractor. You should therefore always either
close the door window or lower the sunshade
when driving at high speed.
Warning!G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.!If the rear window defroster switches off too
soon and the indicator lamp starts flashing, too
many electrical consumers are operating simul-
taneously and there is insufficient voltage in the
battery. The system responds automatically by
switching the rear window defroster off.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the
rear window defroster switches back on auto-
matically.
Page 221 of 570
220 Controls in detail
Climate control
1Temperature control, left
2Air distribution and air volume
(automatic, manual)
3Front defroster
0USA only
P Canada only
4Increasing air volume
5Air distribution (directs air through
the windshield and side air vents)
6Rear climate control* on/off
Air supply for rear passenger
compartment on/off
:USA only
7Temperature control, right
8AC cooling on/off
Residual heat/ventilation
9Air distribution (directs air through
center and side air vents)
aAir distribution (directs air through
the footwells and side air vents)
bAir volume display
cDecreasing air volume
dRear window defroster
1 USA only
F Canada only
eAir recirculation
fInterior temperature sensor
gClimate control on/off
Page 222 of 570
221 Controls in detail
Climate control
The climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. You can operate
the climate control system in either the
automatic or manual mode. The system
cools or heats the interior depending on
the selected interior temperature and the
current outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/C mode is deactivated
(
page 228).
Warning!G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents can be very hot or very
cold (depending on the set temperature).
This may cause burns or frostbite to unpro-
tected skin in the immediate area of the air
vents.
Always keep sufficient distance between un-
protected parts of the body and the air
vents. If necessary, use the air distribution
controls (
page 220) to direct the air to air
vents in the vehicle interior that are not in
the immediate area of unprotected skin.
Warning!G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before its
scheduled interval. A clogged filter will reduce
the air volume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the interior
before driving off, see “Summer opening fea-
ture” (
page 254). The climate control will then
adjust the interior temperature to the set value
much faster.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the wind-
shield free of snow and debris.
Page 223 of 570
222 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating the climate control
system
Deactivating
Press button´ (page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Reactivating
Press buttonU (page 220).
Operating the climate control system
in automatic modeActivating
Press buttonU (page 220) while
the engine is running.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air volume and air distri-
bution are adjusted automatically.
Use temperature controls1 and7
(
page 220) to separately adjust the
air temperature on each side of the
passenger compartment.
The interior air temperature is adjusted
automatically.
Warning!G
When the climate control system is
switched off, the outside air supply and cir-
culation are also switched off. Only choose
this setting for a short time. Otherwise the
windows could fog up, impairing visibility
and endangering you and others.
iYou can also press button´
(
page 220) on the climate control panel.
If you press button0 (
page 220) to reacti-
vate the climate control system, the defrosting
mode is activated.
iWhen operating the climate control system
in automatic mode, you will only rarely need to
adjust the temperature, air volume and air distri-
bution.
In automatic mode, cooling with dehumidify is
switched on. This function can be switched off if
necessary (
page 228).
iThe settings for the passenger side are also
used for the rear passenger compartment.
Page 224 of 570
223 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating
Press button orQ
(
page 220).
The indicator lamp on buttonU
goes out. The automatic operation of
air volume switches off. The selected
blower speed is shown in the air
volume displayb (
page 220).
or
Press air distribution button 5,9,
ora (
page 220).
The indicator lamp on buttonU
goes out. The automatic operation of
air distribution switches off.
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls1 and7
(
page 220) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
The climate control will adjust to the set
temperature as fast as possible.
Increasing
Turn temperature control1and/or
7 (
page 220) slightly clockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air
temperature.
Decreasing
Turn temperature control1 and/or
7 (
page 220) slightly counterclock-
wise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air
temperature.
Adjusting air distribution
Press air distribution button5,9, ora
(
page 220) to adjust the air distribution.
The following symbols are found on the
buttons:
Press the desired air distribution
button5,9, ora (
page 220).
The indicator lamp on buttonU
goes out.
SymbolFunction
aDirects air through the center
and side air vents
ZDirects air to the windshield
and side air vents
YDirects air to the footwells and
side air vents
Page 225 of 570
224 Controls in detail
Climate control
Adjusting air volume
Five blower speeds are available.
Press button to decrease or
buttonQ to increase air volume
(
page 220) to the desired level.
The indicator lamp on buttonU
(
page 220) goes out. The automatic
operation of air volume switches off.
The selected blower speed is
shown in the air volume display b
(
page 220).
Adjusting air volume for the center and
side air vents
Opening the center air vents
Turn thumbwheels 5 and 6
(
page 218) upward.
The corresponding center air vents on
the left and right are open.Closing the center air vents
Turn thumbwheels 5 and 6
(
page 218) downward.
The corresponding center air vents on
the left and right are closed.
Opening the side air vents
Turn thumbwheels 2 and 7
(
page 218) upward.
The corresponding side air vents on the
left and right are open.
Closing the side air vents
Turn thumbwheels 2 and 7
(
page 218) downward.
The corresponding side air vents on the
left and right are closed.
Front defroster
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, for example if it is iced up. You
can also use it to defog the windshield and
side windows.
Activating
Press button0 (page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are clear again.
When the defrost setting has been selected, only
the rear window defroster can be switched on.
No other settings are possible.
Page 226 of 570
225 Controls in detail
Climate control
The climate control switches to the follow-
ing functions automatically:
maximum blower speed and heating
power
air flows onto the windshield and the
front side windows (side air vents must
be open)
the air conditioning compressor
switches on at outside temperatures
above approximately 41°F (5°C) for
air-drying
Deactivating
Press button0 (page 220) once
more.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are in effect
again. The air conditioning compressor
remains switched on.Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(
page 60).
Press button 0(page 220).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.The climate control switches automatically
to the following functions:
maximum blower speed and heating
power
air flows onto the windshield and the
front side windows (side air vents must
be open)
the air conditioning compressor
switches on at outside temperatures
above approximately 41°F (5°C) for
air-drying
If the automatic air distribution is switched
off:
Press air distribution button 9 or a
(
page 220).
iTo switch off, you can also press
button´ orU (
page 220).
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.
